The New York Times on Tough Citizenship Questions for Binational Couples
By Steve Ralls on 04/28/2010 @ 09:27 AM
How many LGBT binational couples are moving abroad, and even renouncing their citizenship, because of the hurdles they face staying together in the United States?
It’s a question posed yesterday at the Bucks blog at The New York Times. Writer Tara Siegel Bernard follows up on an October story, also in the Times, by pointing out that many readers responded to the original story on the extra costs of being in an LGBT relationship by pointing out that they, in fact, faced even more obstacles, and expenses, simply to be with the person they love.
“Try being a bi-national gay couple,” one reader, Megan, wrote to the paper. “We have paid over $70,000 to be together. My partner is Indian and I am American and yet we have to live in Canada if we are to be together.”
Indeed, as couples find that their options – and time – for being able to remain together in the U.S. run out, they are increasingly leaving the United States . . . and taking their talent and tax money to other countries with them. The Times noted that 743 people renounced their U.S. citizenship last year, not including the Americans (many in binational relationships) who are now living in Canada but retain their citizenship in the United States.
“Many same-sex couples who decide to leave the United States head for countries that recognize their unions,” Bernard writes, adding that, “many leave because of immigration obstacles.”
“What choices do couples with noncitizen partners have,” she asks, “and what are the costs?”
To read the full column, click here. http://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/27/do-gay-couples-give-up-their-u-s-citizenship/
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